Step-ladder.



Patented Oct. 9, i900. J. S. BUTLER.

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(Application filed Mar. 22, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIO JOHN s. BUTLER, OF PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA.

STEP-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent N 0. 659,362, dated October 9, 1900.

Application filed March 22, 1899. Serial. N6. 710,062. \No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN S. BUTLER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Palo Alto,

county of Santa Clara,and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Step-Ladders; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,,and exact description of the same,reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in step-ladders, and especially in ladders for use in orchards for pruning trees, picking fruit, and other like purposes.

My improvements consist in constructing such ladders with a bearing at three points on the ground in the manner of a tripod to secu re stability and avoid strains on the structure, in so arranging the various parts that the latter can be conveniently folded for transportation, in constructing the various parts of wood instead of metal, and in other features.

The objects of my invention are to so construct such step-ladders that they will stand firmlyon the ground when in use, so the various parts, except the fastenings, can be made of wood; to attain a durable and simple construction at a moderate first cost; to provide for folding the ladder in a compact form without separating the parts, as hereinafter fully pointed out and explained in connection with the drawings, forming a part of this specification.

Referring to the drawings, Figure I is a side elevation of a step-ladder made according to my invention. Fig. II is an enlarged view in perspective of the base portion of the same ladder. Fig. III is an enlarged side view of the base of the ladder when in process of being folded. Fig. IV is a side view of the ladder when folded. Fig. V is a detail showing the manner of locking the platform when the ladder is erected. Fig. VI is another detail showing the manner of attaching the main cross members.

The ladder proper, forming the main member of the structure, is composed of the sides 1 and steps 2 in the usual manner and is made parallel from bottom to top and not ta- 'ports for the top step or platform 12.

ported in the usual manner for reasons hereinafter explained.

For conveniently moving and adjusting the ladder it is mounted at the rear on wheels 3, that form two bearing-points, the foot of the ladder forming a third point. The sides 1 of the ladder project for a short distance below the-lower step 2 and are pointed, so as to enter the ground far enough to permit the lower step to rest on the ground and prevent sliding when the ladder is set.

The width of the ladder at the bottom,which does not much exceed one foot,with the wheels 3 set three feet apart, produces in effect a tripod support, and thus avoids the racking strains set up in such structures that hear at four points on uneven ground. The rear supports, consisting of the main members 4 and diagonal braces 5, are attached at the bottom to the axle 6, the latter being of wood, with either a through-rod or gudgeons of metal to receive the wheels 3 at each end, as seen in Fig. II. The tops of the members 4 are pivotally fastened to the brackets 7, attached to the sides 1 of the ladder, forming sup- Ata convenient distance from the ground I provide two strong cross-rails 8, preferably of circular section, attached at each side to the members 4 and to the ladder, as shown in Fig. VI. On the ends of these cross-rails 8 are pivoted the two barrow-rails 9, that extend at the front to form handles 10, by means of which the ladder is movedand placed when in use. The barrow-rails 9 are bisected about the center of the structure and'rule-jointed by means of the hinges 11, so as to fold, as shown in Figs. III and IV. Beneath these rails 9 I attach a bottom 13, which being firmly nailed on forms a rigid brace against torsional movement of the structure; also, forms a convenient platform, on which can be placed implements or receptacles for fruit.

When the ladder is in use, as shown in Figs.

I and II, the side or barrow rails 9 are renlique, as shown at 15 in Fig. V, and when the ladder is erected and in use are firmly held by latches or detents 16, that are released by a movement forward, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. V.

When the ladders are to be transported or stored when out of use, they are folded, as shown in Fig. IV, and, as may be seen, the only preparation for such folding or in again erecting the ladders is to engage and disengage the latch 16. It will also be seen that,

except the axle or gudgeons for the wheels 3, the hinges 11, and nails or screws for fastening no metal parts are employed in the structure.

Having thus explained the nature and objects of my invention, I claim- 1. A portable step-ladder, having parallel two-part platform 13, substantially as specio fied.

JOHN S. BUTLER.

Witnesses:

UPTON SMITH, S. G. HINDES. 

